Steam boiler



:Mwah 11, ma A. w. BRUCE 13%295 STEAM BOILER i Flec Jun@ 2, 1%? 4 (Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR March 11, 1930.,v

vFiled; June 2. '1927 4 sheets-sheet 2 A. W. BRUCE STEAM BOILER March l1', 1930.

Filed June 2, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet jlmasses A. W. ESRUCE STEAM BOILER Mwah 'l L m3@ Filed June 2, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 5 y Wy:

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Patented Mar. 1l, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE l ALFRED w. :BEUoE, or NEW Yoan, N. Y.

STEAM BoILEn Application led June 2, 1927. Serial No. 195,888.

character which'w'ill be of'strong and simple. construction, and adaptable .for application iin connection with ypresent standard wheel 1o dispositions; the constituent units of which can be readily yassembled andfseparated as conditions of 'manufacture and renewal or re air ma re uire and when assembledv will be rigidly held against displacement from normal connected relation.- v The characteristic feature of novelty and utility of my invention, consists in a locomotive boiler in which` are combined three cooperating structural elements, to wit: (l) a steam generating member; (2) a heat absorbing member; and (3) a supporting and stiilening member, connecting the 'steam generating and heat absorbing members. The heat absorbing and steam generating members may be `combined withmeans for effecting independent circulation of water, consecutively, therein.

The improvement claimed is hereinafter fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings; Figure 1, is a vertical longitudinal central section through a locomotive boiler, illustrating an embodiment. ofiny linvention; Fig. 2, a verti- .cal transverse section on the line g--g of Fig. 1'; Fig. 3, a vertical transverse section, the right hand half being taken on the-line a a Iof Fig. 1. and theleft hand half on the line b b4 thereof; Fig. 4, a front view, in elevation; Fig. 5, a partial horizontal'section, on an enlarged scale, on the line c c of Fig. 3; Fig. G, a side view, in elevation,of one-halfv of a steam generating member support; Fig. 7, a view, taken similarly to Fig, I1, illustrating amodilication of structural detail; Figs. 8 and v9, vertical transverse sections,jthrough the locomotive boiler shown in Fig.' 7, on the linesd d' and e e, respectively, of Fig. 7; Fig. 10, a horizontal section, on the linev f f of ver, 12, and a rear header, 13, respectivel Fig. 9; and Fig. 11 a fragmental side elevation similar to Fig. 1 illustrating a modified form of pipe connections.

In the practice of my invention, referring descriptively to the specific embodiment thereof which has been adoptedfor exempliiication herein, and rst to Fi s. l to. 6 inclusive, the essential elements o a locomotive boiler in accordance therewith, consist of a steam generating member, indicated, as a unit, by the reference symbol, A;- a heat ab- 4sorbing member, indicated, as a unit, by- B,

and a supporting and stiffening member, connecting the steam generating and heat absorbing members, and indicated by C. The detailed description of the essential elements above stated, which follows, is made with notice that they may be varied as tostructur- -al detail, in the discretion of. a constructor skilled in the art, without departure from the spirit and operative principle of my inh vention,

In the instance herein set forth, the steam v 'generating member, A, comprises a fire cham# ber, 1, which is of substantially rectangular transverse section, and has its side walls formed of a plurality of water tubes, 3, curved inwardly at their tops and connected to a central water and steam'drum, 4. The side water tubes, 3, on each side of the fire chamber, are connected, at their bottoms, to a water drum, 11, located at that side of the fire chamber'and extending from the rear to the forward end of saidchamber. Agrate, of 'any suitableand preferred'known construction (lnot shown) is located at the bottom of the iire chamber, and fuel is supplied thereto through one or more door openings, l, Icon-4 trolled by a door or doors,in the ordinary manner.

The gaseousI products of combustion are delivered `from the fire chamber, through -a plurality of tubes or :[iues in a heat absorbing member, B, which 4adjoins the forwardend of the fire chamber,'to a smoke box, 10

located forward of the member, B, and escapd 95 to the atmosphere through a' stack, 10", on' the top of the smoke box; The endsof the heat absorbing member are closed by a front head- 4, of the steam generating member, A, extends throughout the length of said member, and communicates, at its forward end, with a steam receiving chamber, 4", (one or more) which extends to or near the rear end of the smoke box, 10, and communicates, at its forward end, with a superheater header, 18, from which steam is delivered to the valve chests of the locomotive on which the boiler is installed, the delivery of steam bein controlled by a throttle valve, in the or inary manner. The water and steam drum, 4, also communicates, at its forward end, with a water circulating pipe, 4 which extends forwardly to the front header, 12, of the heat absorbing member, B, to which it delivers uneva orated circulating water, in addition to the oiler feed water, which is introduced into the circulating pipe, 4, through a longitudinal perforated pipe, 25. The two water drums, 11, at tlle bottoms of the sides ofthe re chamber, communicate, at their forward ends, with theiu per part of the rear header, 13, of the heat a sorblng member, B, through pipes, 22, indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

The heat absorbing member, B,.extends from the forward end of the steam generating member, A, in line longitudinallytherewith to the rear end of the smoke box, 10, and is o substantially similar construction to the barrel section set forth in an application for Letters Patent filed by me Januar 27, 1927 Ser. No. 164,0302 As in said app 'cation itcomprises a forward header, 12, a rear header, 13, a lurality of fire tubes, 3b, extending throug said headers, from the front sheet of the forward header to the back sheet of the rear header, and a plurality of water tubes, 3, surrounding the fire tubes, and extending from the backsheet of the forward header to the front sheet of the rear header. This construction, which is not, per se, claimed as of my present invention, provides for the traverse of thegaseous products of combus-` tion through the fire tubes, 3", and the circu lation of water between the headers, throu h the water tubes, 3, which surround the re tubes. The feed water of the boiler is supplied to the heat absorbing member, B, through a feed pipe, 25, providedwith a'check valve, in the ordinary manner, and after circulating through the member, B, and being heated therein by the gases of combustion, is deliveredA therefrom to .the lower side water drums, 11, of the steam generating member, A.

The supporting and stiifening member, C, of the boiler, is in the form of a heavy plate of metal, 20, bent into inverted U transverse section, the vertical portions of which are spaced at such distance apart as to stand on opposite sides of the steam generating and heat absorbing members, to which they are secured. The late, 20, performs the functions of acting oth as a stiifening girder and a supporting connector for the members, A

and B, and of constitutin a casing or enclosure therefor. As shown 1n Fig. 1, it extends throughout the entire length -of the boiler, but may, if preferred, have its forward terminal in rear of the rear end of the smoke box. It may either be formed in a single plate or in a transversely curved upper section and two vertical lower sections, all provided with longitudinal flanges, 20a, secured together by bolts and nuts, or other suitable means, the top section being readily removable when desire In order to provide for expansionunder differences of temperature in service, the steam generating member is rigidly secured to the supporting and stiifening member at one end only, in this instance at its forward end, the rear ends of. its lower drums, 11, being fitted to slide freely in guides, 23, fixed on supports, 24, which are secured to the side members of the plate, 20, and the main frame members, 2, of the locomotive on which the boiler is applied. A similar means is employed for securing the supporting and stifl'ening member to the drums, 11, at their forward ends, but here the members 23 are bolted to the drums as clearly shown in Fig. 6. It will thus be seen that the steam generating member A, is firmly secured at both ends to the supporting and stiffening member except that provision is made to provide for the slightv relative longitudinal movement of 'the securing and secured members due to temperature changes. The

front header, 12, of the heat absorbl ing member, may also be fitted to slide in similar guides, and the rear header, 13, in this instance, is secured to the supporting and stiening member, 20, by bolts, 21, and nuts, 21,4 In the present instance, as shown in the drawings, provision is made for the slight longitudinal relative movement between the supporting and stiifening member C and the heat absorbing member B by supporting the forward end of the heat vabsorbing member B, upon the rear end of the floor of the smole box, 10, with the sides of the header 12 suliiciently close to the supporting and stiffening side walls 20 of the member C to prevent any undesirable side play. In the present instance the weight of the forward end of the member B may be relied upon to hold it upon the supporting floor, or as shown in Fig. 1, the structural parts may be so proportioned that no nude-y sirable play will be present between the forward end of the member B (considered in conjunction with its attached parts), and the top of the member C.

The construction above described may be modified,withoutvariation of operative principle, or departure from the spirit of my invention, by providing for the separate maintenance of the water circuits of the steam generatingvmember and the heat absorbing member. y For this purpose, referring to Figi-11,V the upper central steam and Water drum,

` 4", of the steam generating member, A, may

be connected, at its forward end, directly with the lower side water drums, 11x, through the pipes 22". Boiler feed water is introduced through pipe 25X directly into the front header, 12X, of the `heat absorbing member, from which it flows bac-k, through the tubes, 3", to the rea-r header, 13X, from which it is conducted directly to the forward ends of the elower side -water drums, 11", through pipe 22. l

Figs. 7 to l0 inclusive, illustrate a modification of structural detail, embodying the novel characteristic structural and operative features of the steam boiler hereinbefore described, :while differing therefrom in the yto minor particulars that the heatabsorbing member, B, is in the form of a plurality of fire tubes, 3b", enclosed in a cylindrical shell, 3d, in the usual manner of a boiler barrel, and that the Water circuits of the steam generating member,'A, and the heat absorbing member, B, are separatelv maintained, as in the modification last described. The shell, 3d, ofthe heat absorbing member, is secured .to .a flanged throat sheet, 2x, of the usual cned.

The pipe22z connects the upper and lower drumsof the member A in a similar manner as the pipe 22x of the previous modified form. The pipe 25, serves as a feed pipe for the member B and the pipe 26 connects the member' B with the member A preferably in the manner'as shown.

The member A rests at its forward end upon the supports, 27, to which the lower drums are secured as by bolts or otherwise v(not shown) in a similar-manner and for the same purposeas are the corresponding parts ofthe other ymodifications already de' scribed, the supports27being rigidly secured to the member C.4 The rear end of the member A is supported upon the depressed sup-V ports 28 rigidly secured to-the members C,

. restricting the member A to the desired slight relative longitudinalmovement already referred to, and in like manner, as has already been stated, the weight of the member A,

or` its proximity to lthe walls of the member C, will insure it against any undesirable rela- Ative movement.

' While various expediencies have been shown and described for connecting the three in amannerto prevent undesirable -displacement of the members relative to each other and to the frame, the connections being such however, as will leave the members A and B free toexpandv to prevent undesirable stresses due to changes in temperature. It is obvious that there are-various ways to accomplish lthis and the present invention is not to be limited to any particular manner of accomplishing this result.

The substantial advantages of my invention will be obvious to those familiar with locomotive design and construction, in the particulars of providing a boiler which is of such strength as to be safely operative under comparatively high stream pressure; in which the steam generating and heat absorbing members'are relieved from all stresses other than those due to steam generation and pressure; and which is adapted for application in locomotives of various standard wheel arrangements, with a general longitudinal or backbone support, which is attachable to, and removable from, independently constructed units, of any suitable and preferred type, thereby expediting and 4 economizing the manufacture of the individual units, and affording the capacity of their assembly into a complete structure, of greater rigidity than boilers of the water tube lire box type.

l claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a locomotive, the combination of a locomotive frame structure; a steam generating member; a heat absorbing member for heating water, in communication with the steam generatingy member, said members being structurally independent one of the other; and means connected with the members, constituting therewith a boiler structure preventing relative longitudinal displacement of the-members independently of any frame ing structurally independent one of the othytutingtherewith al rigid boiler structure preventing relative longitudinal displacement ofthe members independently-of any frame structure connections, said means being rig-v idly connected with the :trame structure to retain said boiler structure against longitudinal displacement relative to the frame structure.

3. In a locomotive, the combination of a locomotive frame structure; a steam generating member; a heat absorbing member for heating water, in communication with the steam generating member, said members being structurally independent one of the other; and longitudinally disposed tie means rigidly connected with at least one portion of each of said members, constituting therewith a rigid boiler structure preventing relative longitudinal displacement of the members independently of any frame structure connections, said means being rigidly connected with the trame structure to retain said boiler structure against longitudinal displacement relative to said trame structure.

4f. In a locomotive, the combination of a locomotive frame structure; a steam generating` member; aheat absorbing member for heating water, in communication with the steam generating member, said members being sti'ucturally independent one of the other; and means connected with the members on each side thereof, constituting therewith a boiler structure preventing relative longitudinal displacement of the members independent ot any frame structure connections, said means being Vconnected with the frame structure to retain said boiler structure against longitudinal displacement relative to the frame structure.

5. In a locomotive, the combination of a locomotive frame structure; a steam generating member; a heat absorbing member for heating water, in communication with the steam generator member, said members being structurally independent one of the other; and longitudinally disposed tie means connected with said members, constituting therewith a boiler structure preventing relative longitudinal displacement oit' the members independently of any frame structure connections, said means being connected with the frame structure to retain said boiler structure against longitudinal displacement relative to said frame structure.

G. In a locomotive, the combination of a locomotive frame structure; a steamgenerating member; a heat absorbing member for heating water in communication with the steam generating member, said members being structurally independent one of the other; and longitudinally7 disposed tie means and transversely directed means secured together constituting combined means to which said members are connected and constituting therewith a boiler structure preventing relative longitudinal displacement ot the members independently of any frame structure connections, said transversely directed means being connected with the frame structure to retain said boiler structure against longitudinal displacement relative to said frame structure.

7. In a locomotive, the vcombination of alocomotive frame structure; a water tubular steam generating member; a heat absorbing member 'for heating water, in communication with the steam generating member, said members being structurally independent one of the other; and sheet metal walls, the sheet metal being of sutiicient thickness to be selfsupporting, of suiieient length to at least enclose a portion ot' the sides of each of said members to strengthen, support, and protect same, said walls, members and frame strueture being connected together to prevent relative displacement therebetween.

8. In a locomotive, the combination of a locomotive trame structure; a water tubular steam generating member; a heat absorbing member for heating water, in communication with the steam generating member, said members being structurally independent one of the other; and sheet metal walls, the sheet metal being of sufficient thickness to be selfsupporting, of suficient length to at least enclose a portion ot' the sides of said members to strengthen, support, and protect same, said Walls being connected with said members constituting therewith a boiler structure preventing relative longitudinal displacement of the members independently of any frame structuie connections, said Walls being connected with the frame structure to retain said boiler structure against longitudinal displacement relative to said frame strueture.

9. In a locomotive, the combination of a locomotive frame structure; a steam generating member; a heat absorbing member for heating water, in communication with the steam generating member, said members being structurally independent one of the other; and means rigidly connected to one portion of each of the members constituting therewith a' boiler structure preventing rela- -tive longitudinal displacement of the members independent of any frame structure connections, said members being supported to permit freedom of longitudinal expansion,

due to heat variation, relative to said fra-me' and said means, said means being connected with the frame to retain the members against longitudinal displacement relative thereto.

l0. In a locomotive, the combination of a locomotive frame structure; a plurality of transversely directed members connected to the frame; a water tubular steam generating member; a heat absorbing member for heating Water, in communication with the steam generating member, said steam generating and heat absorbing members being Structurally independent one of the other; and a sheet metal enclosure, the sheet metal being of .sufficient thickness to be selfsupporting,

extending about the sides and top of the steam generating and heat absorbing members to strengthen, support and protect same, said enclosure and transversely directed members constituting combined means to which said steam generating and heat absorbing members are connected constituting therewith a boiler structure preventing relative longitudinal displacement of the steam generating and heat absorbing members independently of any `frame structure connections.'

l1. A steam boiler for locomotives comprising a plurality of transverse members adapted to be supported by and secured to the frame structure of the locomotive; a water tubular steam generating member supported on said transverse members; a sheet metal enclosure extending about the sides and top of said generating memberv` the sheet metal being supporting, enclosing. strengthening, supporting and yprotecting said generating member, said enclosure and transverse members constitutingr combined mea-ns to which the generating member is connected: a heat absorbing member for heating Water in communication with the steam generating member, said members being structurally independent one of the other; and throat sheet means connecting the enclosure with the heat absorbing member positioning the heat absorbing member relative to the steam generating member.

A12. In a locomotive, the combination of a locomotive frame structure; a iva-ter tubular steam generating member; a heat absorbing member for heating Water, in communication with the steam generating member, said steam` generating and heat absorbing members being structurally independent one of the other; a

sheetmetal enclosure, the sheet metal being of sufficient thickness to be seli'fsupporting, extending about the sides and top of the steam generating and heat absorbing members, to strengthen, support and protect same; and connections between said members and the sheet metal enclosure, said sheet metal enclosure'constituting means for preventing relative longitudinal displacement of the steam generating and heat absorbing members independently of any frame structure connections.

13. In a locomotive, the combination of a locomotive frame structure; a water tubular steam generating member; a heat'absorbing member for heating water, in communication with the steam generating member, said steam generating and heat absorbing 4members being structurally independent one of the other; a sheet metal enclosure, the sheet metal beof suicient thickness to be selfconnections between said members and the sheet metal enclosure, said-sheet metal enclosure constituting means for preventing rela-` tive longitudinal displacement of the steam generating and heat absorbing members independent-ly' o't any frame structure connections. Y i

lt. In a. locomotive, the combination of a locomotive frame structure; a steam generating member; a heat absorbing member forheating water, in communication With the steam generating member, said members being structurally independent one of the other; and,a Wrapper sheet connected with the members, constituting therewith a boiler structure preventing relative longitudinal displacement of the members independently of any frame structure connections, said Wrapper sheet being connected with the frame structure, to retain said boiler structure against longitudinal displacement relative to the frame structure.

15. In a locomotive, the combination of a locomotive frame structure; a steam generating member; a heat absorbingmember for heating Water, in communication with the steam generating member, said members being structurally independent one of the other; and a Wrapper sheet rigidly connected to one portion of each of the members, constituting therewith a boiler structure preventing relative longitudinal displacement of the members independent of any frame structure connections, said members being supported to permit freedom of longitudinal expansion,` due to heat variation, relative to said frame and said Wrapper sheet, said Wrapper sheet being connected with the frame to retain the members against longitudinal displacement relative thereto.

ALFRED W. BRUCE.

ing of sufficient thickness to be self-supporting, extending about the sides of the steam generating and heat absorbing members, to strengthem'support and protect same; and 

